Otago > Hunting News May 08

Grotty weather lapped up by Otago hunters

Rain, sleet and bone chilling winds failed to stop more than 3000 hardy hunters from heading to ponds and wetlands around the region for the opening day of the duck hunting season.

For the first time in a number of years, hunters enjoyed near perfect hunting conditions, on the Saturday in particular. Fish & Game Officer Ian Hadland said the passing showers and wind kept ducks in the air and moving around rather than settled on large waters or even worse out at sea. "The hunters were lapping it up with good bags shot, especially on the Taieri and further down south and the hunters stayed interested for much longer than usual too"

Fish & Game were very pleased by the nearly full compliance struck during their ranging exercise on Saturday. "We checked 150 hunters on 60 odd ponds and apart from one chap who late in the day failed to cooperate with a ranger, there was full compliance. Everyone had a licence, no instances of lead shot and no other breaches. That’s a great result" Mr Hadland said.

Fish & Game will consider laying an obstruction charge against the uncooperative Middlemarch hunter when the rangers have provided all of the details.

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